Mali has opened the fourth edition of its National Reconciliation Week, an initiative created under the 2019 National Accord Act to strengthen peace and social cohesion.
Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga chaired the launch ceremony in Bamako under the theme “Cultural Heritage: A Factor of Peace and Social Cohesion in the AES Region.”
Running from September 15 to 21, the week-long program includes educational, cultural, sporting, and memorial activities designed to promote unity and peaceful coexistence.
Authorities are highlighting long-standing traditions as tools for reconciliation. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger share these practices, which have been emphasized as common values since the three countries formed the Confederation of Sahel States in 2023.
The event comes against the backdrop of persistent violence in Mali, where armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State continue to launch attacks, and self-defense militias remain active, particularly in the central and northern regions.
National Reconciliation Week also builds on the 2019 National Understanding Act, which encouraged dialogue following the 2012 crisis. However, the reconciliation process has faced setbacks. In January 2024, Mali’s transitional authorities declared the 2015 Algiers Peace Agreement void, citing breaches of commitments by some signatories.
Despite these challenges, this year’s edition seeks to consolidate national unity and reaffirm the government’s commitment to dialogue, while international partners continue to monitor the process closely.
